In the world of baseball, few storylines capture the drama of a season quite like a star player battling through a slump—and for the Philadelphia Phillies, that narrative is currently centered on third baseman Alec Bohm. Despite a rocky start to the 2026 campaign, interim manager Don Mattingly is standing firm in his support, making it clear that Bohm’s spot in the lineup is safe for now.
Bohm, now 29, enjoyed a career-defining season in 2024, earning his first All-Star nod with a standout .280/.332/.448 slash line, 15 home runs, and 97 RBIs. His 2.8 WAR that year had Phillies fans dreaming of sustained excellence at the hot corner. However, the following season saw a dip in production, as his WAR fell to 1.5 and his RBI total dropped to 59 over 120 games. Still, there were flashes of promise—most notably during a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where Bohm hit .333 and showed impressive plate discipline with six walks.
Those glimpses of his All-Star form gave Philadelphia hope that their third baseman was turning a corner. But so far in 2026, that hope has been tested. Entering Tuesday night’s action, Bohm is slashing just .156/.222/.207 with only one home run—numbers that rank among the lowest for any Phillies regular in the starting lineup.
Given the team’s slow start to the season, many expected Mattingly to shake things up, perhaps moving Bohm to the bench for a reset. But the interim manager isn’t ready to hit the panic button just yet.
“Whenever that is, it’s not now,” Mattingly told the press. “I’ve seen Alec. He’s got another big sample that he always hits. Smaller sample, he’s not hitting right now.”
For Phillies fans and gear enthusiasts alike, this is a reminder that baseball is a game of patience—and sometimes, the best play is to trust the process. Whether you’re rocking a Bohm jersey or just following the story, keep an eye on this one. Slumps don’t last forever, and when Bohm breaks through, it could be the spark the Phillies need.
